Utah is nature’s majesty. Five national parks, seven national monuments, two national recreational areas, and six national forests comprise a state quietly boasting unrivaled scenic beauty. The name Utah comes from the Ute Indians and means "people of the mountains." The average snowfall in the mountains near Salt Lake City is 500 inches. Because of the state’s inland location, Utah's snow is unusually dry, earning it the reputation of having the world’s greatest powder. Fourteen Alpine ski resorts operate in Utah.

Utah became the 45th state on January 4, 1896. With a land area of 84,904 square miles, Utah is the 13th largest state in the US. As of the 2000 census, the population was over 2.2 million people, making Utah the 34th most populous state in the nation. Major industries are oil, natural gas, mining (coal, copper, iron ore, silver, gold), steel-making, farming (cattle, sheep, dairy products), and tourism, especially skiing.

Now that you are moving to the Beehive State, the beehive symbolizes thrift and industry, impress your friends and family with these fun facts:

State Capital and largest city is Salt Lake City.

The 2002 Winter Olympic Games were held in Salt Lake City.

The Great Salt Lake, which is about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, covers 2,100 square miles which is more than a million acres. It has an average depth of 13 feet and the deepest point is 34 feet.

State Flower is the Sego lily.

Kanab is known as Utah's Little Hollywood because of the large number of motion pictures that are filmed in the area.

Utah is the only state whose capital's name is made of three words.

Beaver is the birthplace of two famous individuals, Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, and Butch Cassidy, the notorious western outlaw.

Utah has 11,000 miles of fishing streams; 147,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs.

State Bird is the California gull.

Utah is the site of the nation’s first department store. Zions Co-operative Mercantile Institution, established in the late 1800’s, is still in operation today.

The Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City took 40 years to complete. The temples in St. George, Manti, and Logan, were completed before the Salt Lake Temple.

State Motto: "Industry."

Utah’s annual precipitation varies from 5 inches in the desert regions to 60 inches in the mountains.